Back support



May 8, 1951 c. M. HoPPER 2,551,741

BACK SUPPORT Filed July l5, 1947 1N VENTOR Clarence M. llper ATTORNEY Patented May A'8, A1951 UNITED STATES PAT-ENT `orifice A 'Clarence M. Hopper, Columbus, Ind.

Application July 15, 1947, Serial No. 760,995

1 Claim. l

The invention relates to a back support, and more especially to a ventilated back-rest.

The primary object of the invention is the provision of an article of this character, wherein a person when seated in a bed, motor vehicle, house step, on a lawn or other resting locality, will be aided in comfort during sitting position, the article being thoroughly ventilated which is desirable during warm weather.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an article of this character, wherein its construction is novel and unique in entirety, it being reversible at the will of the user to assure giving comfort to the occupant and the de* sired support as may be required.

A further object of the invention is the provision of an article of this character, wherein it is readily portable, and is adapted for convenient service, conforming comfortably to the contour of the back of a person to give aid thereto when in a sitting position.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of an article of this character, which is simple in construction, thoroughly reliable and effective in operation, strong, durable, neat in appearance, and inexpensive to manufacture.

With these and other objects in View the invention consists in the features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which disclose the preferred embodiment of the invention, and pointed out in the claim hereunto appended.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective View of the article constructed in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is a side edge view thereof.

Figure 3 is a rear elevation.

Figure 4 is a side view showing the article in one position in use.

Figure 5 is a View similar to Figure 4 showing the article in another position in use.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views in the drawings.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the article constituting the present invention, is denoted generally at A, in its entirety, and comprises a main open-center frame IU, preferably made from bamboo or other bendable wood, metal or other suitable material, and involves longitudinal side rails II, and opposite end rails I2 and I3, respectively, the side rails II being slightly converged in the direction of the end rail I3, so that the frame I0 is wider at one end than at the other in the direction of the length of the same. The rails I2 and I 3 are unitary continuations of the side rails I I, as should be apparent, while the end rail I2 is elbowed outwardly as at I4 in a lateral direction from the plane of side rails II, which will be apparent from Figures 2, 3 and 4, of the drawings.

The side rails II and the end rails I2 and I3, respectively, have attached thereto the marginal area an open woven, bamboo or ratan braided, center covering section I5, the fastening of which is had in any desirable manner for back support in association with the frame I0 by a user. 1

Coextensive with the side rails I I of the frame i5 and following the major length thereof are side braces I6, each straight for the greater portion of its length, which at this portion merges into the side rail next thereto adjacent to the end rail I3, while the remaining portion of this brace is elbowed inwardly as at I 'I, and joined with the rail II close to the rail I2 at the elbow I4 thereof.

Crosswise between the braces I6 and spaced longitudinally of the frame II'I are the rungs or brace bars or rails I8, and I9, respectively, the former being joined to the said braces I6, while the latter rung, bar or rail I El is joined to the side rails II of the frame IB, the end rail I2 being outwardly arched toward the braces I6 to conform to the curvature of the back of a person, and similarly at this area the covering section I5 assumes such arched formation. The brace IB is approximately midway of the frame I0, and the brace I9 is located near the end rail I2, as will be apparent from Figure 3 of the drawings.

The fastening of the frame and braces, as well as the covering section of the article follows the old fashioned manner of fastening cane seats and backs in the manufacture of furniture, and the overall contacting surfaces, front or back, of the article present a pleasing smoothness and attractive finish to the latter, as well as ruggedness for Wear and durability.

The covering section I5 in its make-up assures full ventilation to the article when in use, this being clearly apparent.

The article is reversible for service, as is illustrated in Figures 4 and 5 of the drawings, and assures full comfort in'either position for a back rest or support when a person is sitting.

The corners of the frame I0 are rounded as at 20 between the side and end rails II, I2, and I3, thereof.

What is claimed is:

A back support of the kind described, comprising: an unbroken continuous rod-like member forming an elongated invertible frame involving opposed longitudinal side and transverse end rails, respectively, the side rails being converged in the direction of one end rail for Varying the width of said frame from end to end, a reticulated center section bounded by and joining the frame, side braces connected to the side rails intermediate of the ends of the frame and having elbows connected to the side rails at the wider end of said frame for disposing the braces at an angle to the latter, elbows formed in the 4 frame at its Wider end to offset a part of the center section correspondingly to the plane of said braces, and spaced cross-rungs on the frame and braces, respectively.

CLARENCE M. HOPPER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,419,006 Barrett June 6, 1922 2,059,597 Okano Nov. 3, 1936 

